Promoting Responsible Drinking Practices To Drinkers To Reduce The Risk Of Alcohol-related Harm
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$271,476.00
Summary
Australians are heavy drinkers by world standards, which places them at risk of a wide range of alcohol-related harms. Broad-based interventions are needed to address a heavy drinking culture that involves regular engagement in heavy episodic drinking. This study will use a multi-method approach to develop and test messages that can be used to encourage enactment of responsible drinking practices that can reduce total alcohol intake and discourage binge drinking consumption patterns.
Mobile Intervention For Drinking In Young People (MIDY): Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$403,378.00
Summary
Binge drinking is a significant health and social issue in Australia. In this innovative trial, we will communicate with young people via their mobile phones while they are on a night out. Young people will send hourly information about their drinking and will receive a relevant message in response, encouraging them to slow down or avoid harmful activities. The methods and the messages were developed in partnership with young people and have been tested in real drinking situations.
Apathy In Dementia: Identifying Mechanisms For Targeted Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$514,404.00
Summary
One of the most common symptoms in dementia is apathy - a reduction in concern, motivation or interest. Apathy impacts on a person’s ability to engage in necessary daily activities (e.g., cooking, washing, visiting friends) and often leads to people being placed in aged care facilities. This project will investigate the mechanisms which give rise to apathy in dementia. Understanding these mechanisms is the first step in developing new interventions to treat this challenging symptom.
Innovative Patient Education For Preventing Falls After Hospital Discharge
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$573,186.00
Summary
Older people are at increased risk of falls after hospital discharge, but have low levels of knowledge about falls and may be reluctant to undertake falls prevention activities. Providing suitable education may reduce falls in these older patients. This randomized trial will determine if providing personalized falls prevention education in addition to usual care, reduces falls among older people after they leave hospital. Falls are the leading cause of injury among older people in Australia
Evaluating “Standing Tall” – An Engaging Home-based Exercise Program Using Mobile Technology For Maximizing Long-term Adherence And Preventing Falls In Older People: Randomized Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$791,081.00
Summary
Current evidence suggests that older people have to exercise for two hours per week for six months to prevent falls, with a strong focus on balance exercises. We have developed and tested an engaging home-based balance training program delivered through mobile (tablet) technology, called ‘Standing Tall’. We propose a randomised controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of our program for preventing falls in 500 community-dwelling older people, in addition to adherence- and cost-analyses.
Reducing consumption of sugary drinks (or sugar-sweetened beverages) would improve the healthiness of young Australians’ diets. Young Australians drink sugary drinks in high quantities, and they contribute a lot of ‘empty calories’ to the diet. They are also known to cause tooth decay, obesity and diabetes. This study will test the effectiveness of consumer information/warning labels on drink containers in reducing the purchase of SSBs.
Understanding The Impacts Of Vaporised Nicotine Products On Smoking In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,603,159.00
Summary
Vaporised nicotine products (e.g., e-cigarettes) are widely used in Australia, even though possession of the nicotine fluid without a permit is an offence. They are primarily used by smokers as a means of quitting. However, there is concern about their potential attractiveness and uptake by non-smokers. The aim is to identify how these products might be used to both maximise smoking cessation and minimise nicotine use, especially smoking uptake by non-smokers.
Assessment Of The Efficacy Of A Brief Behaviour Intervention Designed To Improve Physical Activity In Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$691,206.00
Summary
The treatment options for patients with poor peripheral blood supply are currently limited. In particular there are limited means to help patients' to change poor health behaviours. This trial assesses the efficacy of a validated means to improve physical activity using motivational interviewing techniques in patients with poor peripheral blood supply.
A 21st Century Approach For Improving Self-Management Of Heart Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$862,350.00
Summary
After a heart attack, implementing lifestyle changes and adhering to prescribed medication reduces the risk of future heart events and aids recovery. However uptake and adherence to recommended cardiac rehabilitation is low. This study will see if a smartphone-delivered cardiac rehabilitation program improves people’s recovery following a heart event, and represents value for money. This approach could improve access to, and use of cardiac rehabilitation services for all Australians.
Eating As Treatment (EAT): A Stepped Wedge, Randomised Control Trial Of A Health Behaviour Change Intervention Provided By Dietitians To Improve Nutrition In Head And Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,156,299.00
Summary
Maintaining nutrition in Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) patients is challenging. Radiotherapy and the burden of the cancer make it difficult for HNC patients to maintain sufficient nutrition. HNC patients also have higher levels of mental illness and substance dependence including alcohol misuse. This trial aims to build on promising pilot data to evaluate for the first time a dietitian delivered health behaviour intervention (Eating As Treatment) to improve nutritional status among HNC patients.